The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Monday declared state of emergency on the flooded Isheri community in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, as he assured residents of the area quick intervention to save the situation.
The governor went on to say that a full assessment that would result in a lasting solution to the flooding threat in the affected area will be done very soon.
The governor mentioned this while receiving questions from reporters after inspecting the flooded hamlet, saying that his government is collaborating with the Federal Government to handle the situation as an emergency.
He stated that the time has come to find a long-term solution to the perennial floods in order to make the area more liveable.
According to him, the state government will see to the elevation of some roads in the area as parts of the solutions to the problem.
“We will prioritize the works here because I am touched with what I have seen. I will ensure that we immediately begin to see signs of relief as we are stepping this up,” he said.
“The Minister of State for Environment is already aware. The Vice President is already aware and also the president. It will be dealt with as an emergency and we are taking it as such.
“As an emergency, I will like to take it up myself. Please continue to bear with us as we are going to conduct a comprehensive assessment of what we need to do to make this place conducive for living.
“Whatever that assessment comes up with is what we are going to implement. So, we are going to first start with ensuring that we have the required road infrastructure at the appropriate levels.
“So if you now built in such a way that we need to relocate you, we have to do that. Whatever it is that we must do to ensure that place does not persistently experience flood, we will do it. But let us wait for the result of the studies to come back and then we will begin to take that decision as and when the situation arises.”
Addressing residents of Riverview Estate, Governor Abiodun said he has requested for an area survey of the entire estate to identify critical areas that needed immediate intervention.
He assured that the intervention would come through the construction of an elevated road with adequate drainage to mitigate their suffering.
“I want to assure you today, knowing fully well that we are a promise-keeping administration, we do not say what we do not mean, my heart goes out to you, it is very unfortunate. I am giving my commitment today, the commissioner for works will come and see what needs to be done.
“We have also engaged the Minister of State for the Environment, who fortunately, is from Ogun State and I have already brought this to his attention.
“Before the end of the week, I will also table it before the Vice President and the President as well so that we ensure that this problem gets all the desired attention and consequently gets the desired solution so we can bring this to an end,” he said.
The governor also disclosed that he and the Minister of Water Resources would visit the community in few days time.
“We will also discuss the issue of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority and try and interrogate the activities there and understand how their activities affect this community and other communities with respect to the opening and closing of the dam,” he said.
The governor described the environment around the Kara cattle market as an eyesore and not befitting the dreams of a “new Ogun State”.
He said that the market was not conducive for human living and not in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals and waste disposal.
He, however, acknowledged the area as one of the biggest commercial operation that provide services to a large number of people, even as he assured that government would go into a satisfactory agreement with the market men and women after which a comprehensive beautification of the area would take place.
The Chairman, Riverview Estate, Abayomi Akande, in his remarks, intimated the governor of the suffering residents of the area are going through as a result of the flooding.
He said that there is a need for a panel of inquiry into the operations of Oyan Dam to stop incessant release of water to cause havoc in the state
He applauded the governor for sending miscreants packing from the road, saying residents of the axis have suffered robbery attacks and other criminality for quite awhile.
Akande urged the state government to think of converting the area into a Government Residential Area (GRA) through Public Private Partnership arrangement to fast track its development.